SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration was pleased to welcome back the TWHBEA National Futurity. The Futurity has been held in Murfreesboro, Tenn. the past few years. This year the event will again serve as a preliminary for the World Grand Championship classes held the last three nights of the Celebration. Rollie Beard, Jennifer Bingham, David Landrum, Paul Robbins and David Sisk made up the judging panel.
The TWHBEA National Futurity began at the six o’clock mark with a presentation of our Nation’s colors by Allison Thorson.
Three entries made the gate call for the first class of the evening, Two-Year-Old Country Pleasure Stallions, Mares and Geldings. Donna Hill directed Miss Dixie Line to the blue. This win follows the team’s debut win at the Roger Latham Memorial Horse Show earlier in the season. Miss Dixie Line is sired by Lined With Cash. Reserve went to Dark’s Black Master for Mariella Fugger and A Black Mudslide Slim claimed third for James Todd.
Next to the ring was the Weanling Fillies and Colts foaled October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. Eight youngsters performed for National Futurity honors. Walking their way to the winner’s circle was Lined My Pockets and Bobby Richards for Carlan Cotten. The youngster is Sired by Lined With Cash. Antonio walked to the reserve award for David Kelley or Lisa Washburn. Rounding out the top three was Dark’s Stormy Vengeance for Mariella Fugger.
Making her debut under saddle a blue was The Camp Town Lady and Chad Thompson for Jo Ann Dowell in the Two-Year-Old Performance Mares and Geldings. The Camp Town Lady is sired by Black Diamond Ritz. Reserve was Gracie Gold for Virginia Stewart and third went to Armed Lite Jazz M for Mark Holt.
Next to the ring was the Two and Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure Stallions, Mares and Geldings. Riding to the winner’s was I’m Johnny Dollar and Jeff Laughlin. Sired by A Strong Dollar, I’m Johnny Dollar is owned by Vickie and Everett Penick. Claiming the red award was Jazz On My Mind for Carole Hargett. Third went to Lime-A-Rita for Tamara Hader.
The Two-Year-Old Trail Pleasure Stallions, Mares and Geldings, Optional Tack were next to the ring. Heading from the line up and to claim the top award was Sired by Texas Joe Black and ridden by Kathy Zeis. Etta James by TJB is owned by Steve Zeis. Claiming the red award was Mango-Rita for Tamara Hader. Tapa Cobre was third for Laurie Toone.
The sixth class of the night brought four Weanling Fillies foaled April 1, 2014 through August 1, 2014 to the ring. Walking her way to the winner’s circle was Silk Lined. Karen McGee led the filly who is sired by Lined With Cash for Brook Haven Farm. NRA’s Calamity Jane was second for Lorraine Rosbury. Earning the yellow award was Sweet Loraine for Rayna Latham.
Taking their turn in the ring next was seven Two and Three-Year-Old Lite-Shod Stallions, Mares and Geldings. Claiming her second and a unanimous blue for the day was Candy Crush and Jeff Laughlin. Candy Crush is sired by Main Power and owned by Dr. Jack Kwok. Reserve was Boston Bay for Diana Popp. A Breaking Dawn rounded out the top three for Carrie Benedict.
The Weanling Colts Foaled April 1, 2014 through August 1, 2014 were next to perform for the judging panel. Earning the title of champion was Emmitt Smith 22 and Lynn Womack. Sired by Lined With Cash and owned by Roger Richards, Emmitt Smith 22 claimed four blues at the International Grand Championships earlier in August. A Jazz Master was second for G. Russell Wright and Son.
I’m Hugo Boss continued his undefeated season with Michael Wright aboard to claim the win in the Two-Year-Old Performance Stallions class for Diana Cruse. The champion is sired by Jose’ Jose’. Second was Black And Stormy for Katherine and Steve Zeis. Slamming Sammy Sneed earned third for Bobby Joe Jones.
Three-Year-Old Trail Pleasure Stallions, Mares and Geldings, Optional Tack was next to the ring. Riding from the lineup to claim the blue was A Black Mamba, Sired by Jose’ Jose’, and Jordan Howell for LaMar DePoyster and Jordan Howell. The win was unanimous by the judging panel and adds another blue to the duo’s resume after their World Championship earlier in the day. Reserve was My Black Cadillac for Allison Thorson. Vigor’s Covergirl tied third for Angela Runnels.
Twelve Yearling Fillies filled the ring next. Hey Pretty Girl claimed her fourteenth blue of the season with Chris Richards at the lead. She is Sired by Black Diamond Ritz and is owned by Luke Baum, Bobby Jones and Roger Richards. Second in the class was Chick On Parole for Denise Smith. Finishing in third was MCF Rosa Cantina for Lorraine Rosbury.
Jackie Byrom directed Jose’s Lady Lily to a blue ribbon exhibition in the Three-Year-Old Performance Mares and Geldings class. She is sired by Jose’ Jose’ and is owned by Julia Cole.
Yearling Colts were next on the schedule. Emerging with the National Futurity title from a field of 15 was I Am G.Q and Bobby Richards for Lisa Baum. The colt is sired by Jose’ Jose’ and has captured six previous blues this season and remains undefeated. Claiming the reserve award was Sweepaway Diego for Lorraine Rosburg and Bobby Joe Jones. Third went to Miracle Shot for Denise Smith.
Carrying out the unanimous blue in the Three-Year-Old Country Pleasure Stallions, Mares and Geldings class was Parole Patrol and MacKenzie Morgan for Laurale Lowery and Laurie Toone. Taking reserve was King Pleasure for Steve Zeis. Third in the class was Bugsy Malone for Shelli Mehaffey and Donna Byard.
The final class of the evening was the Three-Year-Old Stallions class. Seven entries entered the ring. Topping the field was A Midnight Sky and Casey Wright with a unanimous win for Brian Anderton. A Midnight Sky is by the late, A Skywatch. Second went to The Iron Door for James Finch. Third in the class was Springfield for Lloyd David Cassidy.
National Futurity blue ribbon champions were sired by Lined With Cash, Black Diamond Ritz, A Strong Dollar, Texas Joe Black, Main Power, Jose’ Jose’, A Skywatch and Out On Parole. Lined With Cash and Jose’ Jose’ led the tally of winners with four blues each.